Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations New Aquaponics system

I want to set up my system with a (near) full (55Gal)BBL fish tank
& 4 1/2 BBL grow tanks. I am trying to decide on Flood & Drain or
Constant Flow. Suggestions anyone ???
I assume a 1/2 BBL filled to @ 2" of top with gravel might contain
15 Gal of water. What does your experience tell you on this water
Qty??? That leads me to believe that I will need @ 60 Gal + @ 40 Gal
for fish if I use constant flow. The flow(drainback) would then be
controled to match the pump capacity. Am I on the right track?
I would like to use a 12V pump either @9 GPM flow constant
(Automotive){$175}. or @4.9 GPM intermittent (Sprayer){$95.}Either
way I will have to buy a battery(s) & a Solar panel controller to
make this work.9GPM=11.1 minutes for full pumping of 100 Gal.. 4.9
GPM=20 mins. for 100 gal. Perhaps I should look to pump the Growbed
capacity of 60 Gal in @ 12 mins. Can someone please give me your
experience on this! I have 2 75W Solar Panels & would not need to
run new wiring for a 120V pump.

I had a formula of how many fish to a Gallon of Fish tank vs
gallons of Growbeds. Can you help with this as I can no longer find
that info???????? I have a source for 100 1-2" Talapia for $50. if
it is still a good source. Since I think that is too many as they
grow, perhaps I can offer them as fingerlings when they out grow the
fishtank. How many fish should I start with????

Any other suggestions????????????????? How about starting the
bacteria in the grow beds? I plan to use gravel,I have lefttover from
the driveway & later try something used to expand concrete. It must
look like Lava rock and is supposedly very light weight. Has anyone
tried this stuff.

Thanks for any help with this project. I've retired & look forward
to finally trying my hand at this. EdH

Sorry if this is a dumb question...

but what does BBL mean?

Hi pfatz, I'm just about 70 miles up 71 Hwy from you. Good to see another Arkie

Backyard Aquaponics is a great place to have complex questions answered on ratio's and stuff.

Good luck with it

Bruce. BBL = Barrel

I use barrel aquaponics mate. Now, what are you trying to ask amidst all those figures hehe.

the displacement of water in gravel is approximately 50%. The displacement in porous gravel is approx 40%.

4 x barrel halves will use about 60 gallons in a flood cycle. So your tank is endangered by the system.

The auto siphons can be adjusted to run at differing times but thing is they continually change as root mass and bio-film is created in both the beds and plumbing.

Do you want to risk it, the timing of auto siphons does not remain constant.

For you Id recommend the options

Continuous flow, or
Only 2 grow beds or
Get a 100 plus gallon tank.

Can't help you on the solar stuff sorry, if you get good at it, you can teach me some tricks.